# What do you think are the saddest excuses for a sport? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 21, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854 "2002-04-21T20:49:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/21 "2002-04-22T04:00:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by capacitor \* > **…American football is in a way wimpy. Mechanized armor is not as protected as these guys, and they still have the 'in the grasp rule…** We got this Australian guy who punts for the football team at the University here. He used to play Aussie Rules Football back home and thought like you did. But then he played the game and he is very glad that 1) he has the equipment on cause “(they) hit hard” and 2) he’s just a punter and not some receiver laying himself out knowing he’s gonna get slammed. Of course all sports, ALL SPORTS, are wimpy when compared with Shirling. Leave it to the Scots to invent that. _shudder_ And I agree with the other posters that a sport should have 1) an active competition, 2) objective and well defined goals and 3) require the use of your muscles. And having watched some of those curling matches in the Olympics I can safely say that there is no way I could get my body to bend in the way some of those players did when tossing those stones. But the only sports I can regularly watch are baseball and American football. ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/22 "2002-04-22T04:10:10Z")
On American Football, a friend once commented, “They designed a sport where people can hurt each other intentionally, then they have to add in armour. What wimps!” Golf is not a sport. It is a good walk spoiled (I think Shaw said that). ---
**Author:** ![FloChi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58956e/32.png) [@FloChi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloChi)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/23 "2002-04-22T06:21:39Z")
I am going to have to go with some of the fringe sports. Like Lawn Mower racing. I saw that on tv in Canada and pissed myself laughing. That is a ridiculous sport and very sad. Or possibly the chainsaw competitions at the local show. Axe mastery is hard, and requires lots of effort, with a chainsaw all you need to do is use it. They look like men who can’t use an axe. Also hunting/fishing is not sport, for the very simple reason that the other side doesn’t want to play. I have no problem with hunting and fishing for food, but trying to claim it as a sport is just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![RaCha\_ar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@RaCha\_ar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaCha_ar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/24 "2002-04-22T06:59:48Z")
**Urban Ranger** , it was Twain who said “Golf is a good walk spoiled.” I’m so pissed someone beat me to that quote. It’s the whole reason I came into this thread. Oh well. Good taste, **Urban**. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/25 "2002-04-22T07:34:35Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Northern Piper \* > \*\* > Also, have any of the posters who are slamming curling ever actually curled? Trust me, three hours of running on the ice, keeping your balance, and sweeping the bejazus for a demanding skip is not a pristine activity - its sweaty, it keeps you puffing much like any other sport, and is very much an acquired skill where training is necessary. And that’s just the sweeping. Throwing the rocks requires aim, balance and a good appreciation of the ice._\* I’m currently walking around with a huge bruise right below my knee from slamming into the ice several times last wednesday (tiny errors in judgment while sweeping), and yes, curling is dorky. Fun, but dorky. Nowhere near as lame as golf, though. ---
**Author:** ![breaknrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@breaknrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaknrun)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/26 "2002-04-22T15:12:32Z")
bullfighting, dog fighting, cock fighting…see a trend? I don’t get upset over much anything people want to do as long as they leave the animals out of it. People, at least, make their own choices to put themselves in danger. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/27 "2002-04-22T15:19:50Z")
Auto racing. Like the line about NASCAR being an acronym for **N** on **A** thletic **S** port **C** entered **A** round **R** ednecks Hey, the car does the work. The skill involved is considerable, but that doesn’t make it a sport. ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/28 "2002-04-22T16:33:55Z")
Jai-Alai Otherwise I pretty much\* agree with [George Carlin’s opinions.](http://www.boredatuni.co.uk/stuff/carlin.html) [sub]\*Meaning, “except for his use of slurs.”[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/29 "2002-04-22T17:57:18Z")
Professional Bowling. Bowling is fun, sure. But pro bowling? Come on… - You’re indorrs, so there’s no weather to compensate for. - You and the target are always put in the same place, so there’s no motion to compensate for. - No one or thing is trying to prevent you from hitting the target. - You bring your own equipment, so you don’t worry about that. So it’s essentially watching people take the exact same show over and over. No wonder it’s always strikes and spares. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/30 "2002-04-22T18:39:08Z")
That new Olympic spectator “sport”… Bridge. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/31 "2002-04-22T18:59:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lurkernomore \* > \*\*Auto racing. > > Like the line about NASCAR being an acronym for > > **N** on > > **A** thletic > > **S** port > > **C** entered > > **A** round > > **R** ednecks > > Hey, the car does the work. The skill involved is considerable, but that doesn’t make it a sport. \*\* Feel free to try it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/32 "2002-04-22T19:14:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Osiris \* > \*\* > > …Of course all sports, ALL SPORTS, are wimpy when compared with Shirling. Leave it to the Scots to invent that… \*\* [New snake!](http://www.geocities.com/proudfans/markchars.html) The sport whose mere existence angers me is ice dancing. ---
**Author:** ![blanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@blanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blanx)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/33 "2002-04-22T19:15:12Z")
Just because it’s hard, does not mean it’s a sport. I second the above votes for anything judged- a popularity contest, not a sport. I’m not knocking the effort, talent, etc. required to be a figure skater, or a rhythmic gymnast, but neither is a sport. Also, NASCAR, CART, Formula 1, are all not sports- hard, and I can’t do them, and give credit to those who can, but not sports. I have serious doubts about baseball, also… ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/34 "2002-04-22T19:36:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ianzin \* > I do so wish they’d get rid of any so-called sport that involves judges or judging giving scores. Or, modify these sports to eliminate the need for judges or judging. (Judging as in ‘making sure the rules are observed’ is OK). While I agree with your sentiments, **ianzin** , I’d have to toss in another variable into the equation, and that’s the difference between _competitive_ and _noncompetitive_ sports. Is rock-climbing a sport? Sure it is, even though it’s just you against the rock. But it’s not a _competitive_ sport. Similarly, gymnastics, which you mention, isn’t naturally a competitive sport, and judges don’t fix that. But it _is_ a sport in the same manner that rock-climbing is. I’d also aver that “I’d like to see you do it” has little if any place in debating what is, and what isn’t, a sport. Golf is a lame sport not because it isn’t a tough game, or because it doesn’t involve the use of physical skill and prowess - it is, and it does, and I can’t golf worth shit. But the reality is that golf is deadly boring, unless the bug has bitten you. Besides, there’s just something wrong about a sport where they shush the spectators. ---
**Author:** ![white-tigeress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f475e1/32.png) [@white-tigeress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/white-tigeress)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/35 "2002-04-22T20:23:23Z")
Anything that involves the use of a ball. Men seem to love to kick them around. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/36 "2002-04-22T20:53:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racinchikki \* > \*\* > Feel free to try it yourself. \*\* I conceded skill even in the passage quoted. I can’t go out and win a Tony on Broadway. Does that making acting a sport? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/37 "2002-04-22T20:55:59Z")
What is auto racing if it isn’t a sport? Genuinely curious. It meets **stankow** ’s standards: > [@](#): > > Must include physical activity necessary to the sport (chess, no; curling, yes); must have the other competitors directly trying to keep you from scoring/finishing/whatever (golf, no; basketball, yes); must have objective standards (figure skating, no; football, yes). Physical activity? Yes. The car does _not_ “do all the work,” (although it certainly helps to have the best equipment money can buy thanks to your rich multiple-car-owning team owner). If the car “did all the work” then Jerry Nadeau would’ve been winning as much as Jeff Gordon when he drove for Rick Hendrick’s team. Opposition? Yes. There are 42 other people on the track in a NASCAR race all directly opposed to the idea of you winning. Objective standards? Yes. The scoring procedure gets a little widgey when you try to figure out how the points are allocated but the standards are objective. You cross the finish line first and you car’s pieces all fit the rules? You win. So seriously, what is it if it isn’t a sport? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/38 "2002-04-22T21:00:45Z")
I’d also like to note that my “I’d like to see you do it” comment was not in response to whether or not NASCAR is a sport, which has nothing at all to do with whether any one person in particular is capable of doing it, but rather in response to the assertion that the car does all the work. ---
**Author:** ![blanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@blanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blanx)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/39 "2002-04-22T21:08:37Z")
**racinchikki** - I’m not entirely sure what auto racing is. It’s like horse racing- one’s ability to win/succeed/etc. is based largely upon the performance of the equipment. (horse or car) For instance, if you are a fantastic jockey, and are riding a broken-down horse, then more likely than not you will not win. Certainly, your skill as a jockey comes into play, but in large part, it’s about the horse. Isn’t the same the case in auto racing? If you are a fantastic driver, with the reflexes of a cat on crystal meth, but you don’t have the financial backing to have the top car, more likely than not you will not win. The same can’t be said for basketball, or soccer- the quality of the shoes, or the ball, all Nike commercials notwithstanding, doesn’t really matter- it’s about your fitness level, and innate ability. Again- doesn’t mean auto racing isn’t hard, or that I wouldn’t turn myself into a red smear if I tried it, it’s just not a sport. blanx ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854/40 "2002-04-22T21:17:39Z")
**stankow’s** standards make war a sport. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-are-the-saddest-excuses-for-a-sport/104854.md?page=3)